Michael T. Hare

Books are great. Everyone loves them, but what does the writer gain? Personally, I love to watch people’s emotional reactions to my stories. It’s one of the blessings I have as an author. But… is that it? Is there nothing glamorous about the writing process?

Trust me, I’ve seen every writing meme about struggling, editing, and the mental torture of building worlds. Don’t get me wrong, I find them H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S, but all joking aside, writing can be a pretty great process. And in my opinion, writing stories is just as good as reading them.

My mom loves books, and she’s supported my writing journey since Toothless and Optimus Prime crossed paths. If you’re like her, I’ll bet you have a book that reminds you of something—maybe Autumn, Summer, that trip you took, or even a special moment. For me, this is one of my favorite parts about books, movies, music, or any storytelling—they’re the ultimate memento, a mark in your life, a brief glimpse into the past. For me, this experience happens with the books I write as well as read.

I have plenty of memories associated with my unpublished works. One reminds me of cool Summer nights, another of a trip to Utah, and another of silvery moonlight, country music, and campfires. For longer projects, the memories are split into sections—half reminds me of one thing, while the other half reminds me of another. For instance, I have a chapter that reminds me of my mom going into labor with my youngest brother.

Writing doesn’t always have to be this boring, torturous craft. When you pour your heart into something like a story, your feelings and emotions follow suit, solidifying on the page and forming an old picture of a past event.

Books, whether we are writing or reading them, bridge the gap between us and things we want to revisit.